Disneyland turns 70 today! Disneyland Resort has been celebrating a kind of very-merry-unbirthday since the spring with the Disneyland 70th Anniversary festivities. Those are set to continue through summer 2026. But, today is the actual 70th anniversary of Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955.
A Tribute to Walt Disney Through the Technology He Pioneered
To recognize this momentous day, Disneyland has chosen today to debut the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure in the attraction “Walt Disney – A Magical Life”. This new show is paired with an exhibit in the Main Street Opera House, the usual home of “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
Elements of the gallery exhibit include artifacts from the creation and early days of Disneyland and loaned pieces from the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. One highlight is a recreation of Walt Disney’s Main Street U.S.A. apartment with original furnishings.
Just before the show featuring the Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney, you can get a look at the history of Audio-Animatorics with an exhibit including original and replica figures.
All of this culminates in the theater presentation of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” with a film and a replica of Walt Disney’s studio hosting an Audio-Animatronics figure representing the man himself. The words in the film and in the recording playing through the Audio-Animatronics figure are the words of Walt Disney.
In the exit lobby, you can find tributes to the cast members who have brought Disneyland to life over the past seven decades and a look at future enhancements to the resort.
While the classic “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” show is currently paused, Disney has indicated that it will rotate with “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” in the future.
How to See “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” with (or without) a Virtual Queue
UPDATE 07/19/2025: At the time it opened, guests were required to join a virtual queue to experience “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” That is no longer the case. You may or may not need to use a virtual queue on your visit. Disney currently states that “We plan to open the virtual queue for “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” as needed each day.”
So, check the Disneyland app on the morning of your visits to determine whether a virtual queue is in use that day. Even if it is, you may still be able to access a standby line after all virtual queue boarding groups have been called for the day. This will be on a day-by-day basis. If you want to experience this attraction, we recommend making yourself familiar with the virtual queue process. We have an extensive guide to virtual queues here: Disneyland Virtual Queue Guide.
The Final Verse
The other nostalgic treat making its debut on this special anniversary is a gift from songwriter Richard Sherman.
The late Robert and Richard Sherman wrote the iconic “it’s a small world” song for the ride of the same name when it opened at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Before his death in 2024, Richard Sherman penned a final verse. Beginning today, guests can hear this final verse in the finale scene of the classic attraction itself.
“it’s a small world” finale scene lyrics, by Richard Sherman
Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after
How to Hear the Final Verse to “it’s a small world” at Disneyland
There is no virtual queue for “it’s a small world” at this time. You can board the attraction through a typical standby queue or by using a Lightning Lane Premier Pass or Lightning Lane Multi Pass. For our tips on using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, see our Big Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disneyland Resort
The 70th Celebration Continues at Disneyland
Both “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” and the final verse of “it’s a small world” will continue playing beyond today’s special day. In addition to these two offerings, there are the ongoing 70th celebrations: Guide to the 70th Anniversary Celebration at Disneyland.
Happy Birthday Disneyland!
from the Disneyland opening speech by Walt Disney
To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past—and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America—with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.
